Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has urged UEFA to take disciplinary action against Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma following Tuesday night’s Champions League semi-final match against Arsenal.
PSG secured a 1-0 victory thanks to an early strike from Ousmane Dembele, with Donnarumma playing a crucial role in keeping the Gunners at bay. ..Continue Reading
The Italian shot-stopper made a sharp save to deny Gabriel Martinelli before the break and later produced an excellent fingertip stop to push Leandro Trossard’s shot wide. Although he was beaten by Mikel Merino’s header, the goal was overturned after a VAR review.
Despite his impressive performance, Hackett was infuriated by Donnarumma’s conduct during stoppage time.
As Arsenal pushed for a late equaliser and earned a corner, Declan Rice sent in a cross, only for the referee to immediately stop play for a foul by Ben White on Donnarumma—though replays revealed minimal contact.
Hackett, now 80, has demanded that UEFA impose a suspension on the 26-year-old, criticizing what he deemed an act of simulation.
He insisted that such behavior warrants retrospective sanctions and sends the wrong message to players and fans alike.
“This absolutely disgraceful behaviour is ‘cheating’ and those that work to uphold the integrity of our great game must ensure that action is taken and the goalkeeper issued with a ban,” he told Football Insider. “This game was viewed around the world and does not set a good example of how the game should be played.
“The IFAB (International Football Association Board), in the opening sentences of the Laws of the game, talk about the philosophy and spirit of our game. Then they must do something to ensure that these comments by them are not tarnished.”
Hackett was also angered by Bukayo Saka’s yellow card. The Arsenal star was penalised for pushing Nuno Mendes despite replays suggesting otherwise and then booked for kicking the ball away in frustration.
The Englishman pointed the finger at referee Slavko Vincic, adding: “I see praise for the referee last night, but his team have failed to see this action by the goalkeeper or penalising Saka for a non-foul.”
